The storming and reduction of Stony Point by the American army under General Wayne occurred on the night of the 15th of July, 1779. It w^as one of the brilliant achievements of the Revolution, and, indeed, in some respects, can hardly be excelled by any action in our history. The British had retired from Philadelphia; Washington's army had passed through the trying experience of Valley Forge, and Monmouth had been fought. Now the old struggle for supremacy on the Hudson was renewed. Sir Henry Clinton had captured the

The Storming;- of Stony Point 305

American ]:)Osts at Stony Point and Vcrplanck's Point, opposite; while Washington still held the important fortresses in the Highlands. Clinton "s attack was made on the first of June. The American force at Stony Point consisted of six hundred men, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, while at Vcrplanck's, Lieutenant-Colonel Webster had a detachment of about the same numerical strength. They yielded to the combined land and water attack of a greatly superior foe, who proceeded, after the reduction of the forts, to increase their armament and man them with strong garrisons. Washington at once saw not only the military disadvantage of having his outposts in the hands of the enemy, but realised also hoW' bad an effect such a condition of affairs would produce upon the sentiment of the country. He discussed the possibility of dislodging the invaders. An amusing and characteristic (and possibly true) anecdote records a conversation sujjposed to have taken ])lace between the Commander and General Wayne on this topic. A'^ked whether he thought he could storm Stony Point, the impetuous Wayne -- -"Mad Anthony" -- replied : " I '11 storm hell, if you'll make the plans, sir!" Washington looked at him meditatively for a moment, and then replied quietly: "Better try Stony Point first, General." Try Stony Point they did.